[FOOD COURT] Eating out doesn’t always have to break the bank

Brown Chicken at One Degree North in Gangnam District, southern Seoul [LEE SUN-MIN]

 
Treating yourself to some tasty food doesn’t have to break the bank. Global restaurant reviewer Michelin Guide recently added three new Seoul restaurants to its Bib Gourmand list, highlighting places where diners can enjoy a meal for less than 45,000 won ($30) per person.  
 
 
Jungmyeon


Noodle restaurant Jungmyeon only has seven seats available and offers only two different dishes: Noodles in a clear broth called Baekmyeon and noodles in a spicier broth called Hongmyeon. In Korean, baek means white, hong means red and myeon means noodles.  
 

Baekmyeon, clear broth noodles, at Jeongmyeon in Gwangjin District in eastern Seoul [LEE SUN-MIN]

 
The broth is made using seafood instead of beef or pork, but pork slices are placed on top of the noodles to make every bite a bit more complex and flavorful. For those who want to drink the soup with something more to chew on, the restaurant also offers a small bowl of rice.  
 
Like many Japanese ramen places in Seoul, the noodle restaurant also has a machine set up by the door to take orders. When there’s a wait, you can come inside and order through the machine first and then wait outside the restaurant until your order number is called.  
 
A bowl of noodles is 8,500 won, and you can add bigger portion of noodles or rice for an additional cost.  
 
@jungmyeon__
88 Neungdong-ro 13-gil, Gwangjin District
 
 
One Degree North
 
Calling itself an “Asian Roast,” One Degree North offers a variety of meat over rice for a quick yet hearty meal for lunch or dinner. Originally started as a delivery-only outlet, the restaurant opened its offline space in December.
 

Char Siew over egg noodle at One Degree North [LEE SUN-MIN]

 
Currently it has five different options including Singapore Chicken in ginger and garlic broth, Brown Chicken, which is a fried chicken leg, Char Siew pork belly, Crispy Roast Pork fried and marinated with house-made Asian spices, and Roast Duck marinated with eight different types of herbs and spices and grilled over charcoal.  
 
After you choose what type of meat you want, you can choose either rice, egg noodles or spicy pepper noodles.  
 
The cheapest is Singapore Chicken, at 9,800 won.  
 
@_onedegreenorth_
8 Hakdong-ro 43-gil, Gangnam District
 
 
Filleter
 
Filleter is all about the seafood. Refraining from using any meat, it offers different fish, shellfish, seaweed or anything else found in the sea, steamed, grilled or deep-fried. Its dessert is also a must-try. Grilled pineapple is served with layers of pastry and coconut custard to cleanse your palate at the end of your meal.  
 

Pasta with sea urchin at Filleter in southern Seoul’s Gangnam District [LEE SUN-MIN]

The restaurant has bar seats, tables and even a private room so that you can choose whichever ambience you need for a night at the restaurant. However, to keep the budget per person under 45,000 won here, you might have to have a lot more people joining your table. Although its food menu starts from under 20,000 won, the restaurant requires diners to order at least one bottle of wine. The restaurant doesn’t offer any wine by the glass.  
 
@filleter.fish
40-4 Seolleung-ro 148-gil, Gangnam District

BY LEE SUN-MIN [lee.sunmin@joongang.co.kr]